Little Alice's Palace; or, The Sunny Heart

								

she went scolding about the house, trying to pick up something for
breakfast; and she heard her father answering her in no pleasant mood,
and kicking about the floor whatever came in his way.
It was a sad awakening for poor Lolly, and, for the minute, it put wholly
out of her mind the pleasure of the previous day, and the lesson learned
in the green and sunny place by the brook-side; and she was sorely
tempted to cover her head with the bed-clothes, and sleep again, until
her parents were off to their work, and then give herself up to idleness
and play, as she had always done.  But the bright happy face of Alice
came before her to help her, and she was out of bed in a minute.
"Maddie, Maddie!" said she, leaning over her sister and giving her the
least bit of a shake in order to arouse her; "come, get up.  The sun is
shining on the wall, and it is a beautiful day.  I want you to go with me
for Alice."
"Get away!" returned Maddie in a huff.  "I haven't slept half enough!"
And, settling herself again, she dropped off into a heavier slumber;
while Lolly, seeing that it would do no good to disturb her, dressed
herself and went into the other room.
Her mother was baking a cake, and her father sat near, idle.  Both looked
surprised to see Lolly up so early.
There was a woollen-factory in the village, perhaps half a mile away, and
they were off generally long before the children were up; and Maddie and
Lolly usually ate such pickings as they left upon the table, and spent
their days as they pleased, with little thought or care from their
parents.
Lolly could not wait to get her breakfast.  She cared for nothing to eat,
now that her mind was intent upon some great thing, and she sped away
over the dewy grass to find her new friend.  She had never been in
Alice's house, for they had only lived a little while in the place where
they now were, and Maddie alone had found out their neighbour.  Her
sister would not always let her play with her, and it was only a mere
chance that led her to follow Maddie the day before and get acquainted
with Alice.
I did not mean to say chance.  I would rather say a kind watchful
Providence--which is the true and right word for a Christian to use;
because everything that happens in this world is governed by God's over-
ruling power for some good purpose; and Lolly was led to the spot where
her sister and Alice were at play, expressly that she might learn
something of her bright, eternal home.
Now that she had seen the sunny-hearted little girl once, it took her but
very few minutes to find her again.
The distance seemed nothing at all; and, from the time she left her own
door, she could see the cheerful face all along her way, making her walk
very pleasant and not in the least lonely.
The cottage door was wide open, and the sunlight lay in golden streaks on
the floor at the entrance, where Tabby had stretched herself comfortably.